‘Govt committed to sustainable economy’

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said sustainable economic growth would remain the government’s priority, while Chattogram’s business community welcomed the FY2026-27 budget and pressed for faster implementation of major development projects.

The minister arrived in Chattogram on Saturday and was welcomed with flowers by Mohammad Amirul Haque, President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), on behalf of the business community and the chamber’s Board of Directors. A brief exchange of views between the minister and business leaders was later held at a lounge at the airport.

Mohammad Amirul Haque congratulated the Finance and Planning Minister for presenting what he described as the first business- and investment-friendly budget since Bangladesh’s independence.

On behalf of the business community, he expressed gratitude for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, saying it included policies aimed at deregulation, reducing the cost of doing business and simplifying business procedures.

He said that, as a former president of the Chittagong Chamber, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury understands the importance of the country’s commercial capital and has been working with its interests in mind.

Highlighting Chattogram’s role in driving the national economy, the Chamber President said increased investment in the port city would further strengthen Bangladesh’s economic growth.

He thanked the government for undertaking major development initiatives, including the Dhaka-Chattogram railway cord line, the Dhaka-Chattogram Expressway, the Bay Terminal, a Free Trade Zone near Anwara and Matarbari, the supporting infrastructure project for the Chinese Economic Zone in Anwara, the Chattogram City Outer Ring Road, the Chattogram Muslim Institute Cultural Complex, the Football Technical Centre in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, and the Anwara-Banshkhali-Taitong-Pekua-Badarkhali-Chakaria Regional Highway Development Project. He also urged the government to expedite the implementation of these projects.

Among those present were Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain; Members of Parliament Mohammad Ershad Ullah, Abu Sufian and Enamul Haque Enam; CDA Chairman Engineer Md Belayet Hossain; KDS Group Managing Director Md Selim Rahman; Asian Group Managing Director M. M. Salam; Ispahani Group Managing Director Mirza Salman Ispahani; BSRM Group Chairman Alihussein Akbar Ali; Abul Khair Group Deputy Managing Director Abu Sayeed Chowdhury; and other business leaders.